It took decades for fibromyalgia to get it's own ICD code - the codes doctors use to report what their patients have. Karen Richards asks why it took so long for FM to get one (answer - a lack of advocacy I imagine) and then highlights some of the truly bizarre ICD codes out there. Struck by turtle anyone? ![woot :woot: :woot:](/forums/styles/default/xenforo/smilies_ext/woot.png)
![woot :woot: :woot:](/forums/styles/default/xenforo/smilies_ext/woot.png)
- Struck by turtle (W59.22XA) – Bitten by turtle I can understand, but how does one get struck by one of the slowest-moving creatures on earth?
- Other contact with pig, initial encounter (W55.49XA) – This code follows codes for “Bitten by pig” and “Struck by pig.” What else can a pig do to you? Sit on you, perhaps?
- Sucked into jet engine, subsequent encounter (V97.33XD) – Are there really so many people getting sucked into a jet engine that it deserves its own diagnostic code? And having survived the ordeal once, are they really going to put themselves in a position where it could happen again?